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Abstract

The role of diet in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus remains unsettled.

Objective:

To examine the association between major dietary patterns and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

United States.

Participants:

42 504 male health professionals, 40 to 75 years of age, without diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline.

Measurements:

Using factor analysis based on data from food-frequency questionnaires, we identified and validated two major dietary patterns that we labeled “prudent” (characterized by higher consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry and whole grains) and “western” (characterized by higher consumption of red meat, processed meat, French fries, high-fat dairy products, refined grains, and sweets and desserts). Relative risks and 95% CIs were adjusted for potential confounders, including body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and cigarette smoking.